Black Zetsu Makes His Move

Kakuzu Karot was quite tolerant of him, considering his ability to make money from money. After all, his future well-being depended on him.

Congratulations, Shisui!

Having nothing better to do after leaving Kakuzu's house, Karot came to Uchiha territory. After all, today was a special day for his top general, so he wanted to show his support. Indeed, Shisui had used public opinion to damage Fugaku's reputation, and with the support of most of the clan, he had managed to remove Fugaku Uchiha from his position as Clan Head.

"Lord Karot"

Shisui bowed respectfully to Karot and said...

"There's no need for that. You are now the head of a clan. Your status is no longer what it used to be."

Karot reminded him.

"Regardless of any changes in my status, I am still Shisui, Lord Karot's subordinate."

"I am serious, "Shisui said. "Ever since I chose to pledge allegiance to Karot, Shisui have made up my mind that this loyalty will only end when my life comes to a close."

"The Uchiha are really stubborn!"

Karot thought to himself with a sigh.

After returning home, Fugaku sat in the courtyard in a daze. He couldn't understand why his clansmen didn't support him, even though he had been working diligently and conscientiously since becoming the Clan Head.

Fugaku Uchiha could be considered a good father, but he was not a good Clan Head. When Itachi slaughtered the entire clan, Fugaku chose to die a heroic death. He completely forgot his responsibilities as the clan leader.

Mikoto silently watched Fugaku from behind. Mikoto knew that only Fugaku could figure this out on his own; nothing anyone else could say would change anything.

As if sensing something, Fugaku turned around and saw his wife and children looking at him with worried expressions. He seemed to understand something and smiled.

Madara finally awoke, sensing the power of the Rinnegan, a power far greater than any Sharingan. At this moment, Madara felt he could act without restraint; he could easily subdue the Ninja World with a flick of his wrist.

"Black Zetsu."

"Ban" yelled. He'd been awake for so long, and Black Zetsu had appeared. Before he fell asleep, he'd repeatedly told Ban to protect him. But when he woke up, there wasn't a soul in sight. This made Ban wonder if his words no longer mattered.

"That's great, you're finally awake."

Black Zetsu delivered a performance worthy of an Oscar. If we're talking about who has the best acting skills in the entire Ninja World, Black Zetsu would dare to claim second place, and no one would dare to claim first.

Black Zetsu ran up to Madara and frantically flattered him. Madara actually accepted it, after all, being flattered is really great.

"Have my grandpa and the others arrived? I haven't seen them."

At that moment, "Ban" also sensed that something was amiss. Shouldn't you, as the grandfather, have come to visit your grandson the moment he woke up and finished his treatment?

Black Zetsu at a loss for words to explain the situation. In the end, he recounted the events of that day in detail.

"What?"

Ban refused to believe it. That was his only remaining relative in the world. And then, in the time it took him to fall asleep, his grandfather was murdered.

"Konoha has gone too far."

"Boom."

Madara's energy got a little out of control, and he blew up the room. If Black Zetsu been able to Earth Release to escape quickly, he might have been trapped under the collapsed building.

"Konoha, you just wait. One day I will make Konoha disappear."

Ban laughed loudly and arrogantly, trying to use his laughter to cover up his disappointment. But his eyes betrayed him; his anger and sorrow could not be concealed.

Black Zetsu felt a slight admiration for Madara's appearance, because he saw a quality in Madara's eyes that was the same as his own.

"From now on, please don't call me Ban. Call me God."

Madara finally revealed his ambition: he wanted to become like the Sage of Six Paths, since he now possessed the Sharingan, which was the same as the Sage of Six Paths's!

"Yes."

Black Zetsu lowered his head and answered. However, Madara didn't notice the disdainful look on Black Zetsu's face. Black Zetsu clearly looked down on the current Madara. Even the true Madara Uchiha, the greatest ninja in the Ninja World, wasn't this arrogant!

To destroy a person, one must first drive them mad. And our "god" is now on the path of madness, leaving others far behind.

Black Zetsu wouldn't remind "God" that it needs a target to attract attention.

"Black Zetsu, how's the preparation of the sacrifice going?"

These offerings are crucial to his attainment of the Sage of Six Paths; there can be no mistakes.

"Everything is going according to plan. We just need you to install the Rinnegan so we can proceed to the next step."

No one cared more about the birth of the Ten-Tails than Black Zetsu. He had worked hard for countless years, and this was the final push. Black Zetsu absolutely could not allow failure.

"However, the other ninja villages are now gathering their forces to rescue their Tailed Beast."

The higher-ups in the ninja villages all believed that the Akatsuki Organization had captured the Tailed Beast to increase their strength. They never imagined that the Akatsuki Organization would use the Nine Tailed Beasts to create the Ten-Tails. This highlights the importance of information; other ninja villages lacked it.

"Ha. Just a rabble."

Having obtained the Rinnegan, Madara swelled up, as if he were looking down on everyone present as trash.

"But Konoha's Karot is still quite a threat."

If we're talking about which ninja Black Zetsu Knight harbors the most hostility towards, it has to be Karot. He's personally witnessed the battle between Karot and Madara Uchiha. The place was completely barren! Furthermore, Madara himself stated that he wasn't a match for Karot when he wasn't at his peak. Keep in mind that Karot was still very young at that time, and his strength hadn't yet reached its peak.

Madara, for once, became serious. Karot's Daimyo was Daimyo throughout Konoha. He himself, not being the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki, lacked the confidence to defeat Karot. Add to that the other powerful figures in Konoha, and if he were held back by Karot, his plans would definitely be affected. However, Madara thought for a moment and then smiled.

"Second Hokage! I have to commend you. You're incredibly clever."

Madara thought of the Impure World Reincarnation. This Ninjutsu could solve his immediate problem.

"Black Zetsu, go and prepare the vessel for the person we're going to reincarnate into."

Black Zetsu almost forgot. The man in front of him was the one who had mastered the forbidden technique of Senju Hands of the Clouds.

"I'll get on it right away."

After seeing that "Bandit" gave no further instructions, Black Zetsu left the room.

"Grandpa, wait a moment. I will send all the Konoha ninjas to you to apologize."

At this moment, Madara was no longer the cold-blooded ruthless man he had been moments before; all that remained was the grief of losing his loved ones. It turned out that his earlier display of ruthlessness was all an act for Black Zetsu's benefit.